The Dad Book by Dan Bridges is a great book for any dad that likes puzzles, games and trivia – Such a great book.
2. Picture You Dead By Peter James – A great read
3. Nook Farm Honey – if your dad loves honey this is the website to check out: Free wrapping for your honey for Fathers day and if you buy 3 jars you get 15% off and a free wooden spoon. – it is absolutely delicious.
With her marriage falling apart and her longed-for holiday cancelled, Georgina Greenhills gets an unexpected offer: a holiday in the small seaside town nestling in the beautiful South Downs where she grew up. There is only one catch: she must try and solve the mystery of the valuable antiques disappearing from the remote manor house belonging to an old lady called Maudie.
Gina gathers her childhood friends, scatty Ruth and feisty Eve, to help her. In the middle of a blazing summer they swim, sunbathe and share cocktails as they watch the sun sparkling on the sea, and Gina realizes how much she missed them and how happy she is to be back here in the summertime. Not least because of bumping into Daniel Napier, her shy and awkward teenage dancing partner, now an alarmingly attractive man. Although there is the small problem of his annoying girlfriend.
As Gina tries to solve the mystery at the manor and wonders how to get rid of the girlfriend, an even bigger secret emerges that will take all their skill and experience to resolve.
My Thoughts:
This is the perfect summer read that will whisk you away. It is about three good friends that all have real life issues, after being let down on their summer holiday, an opportunity to head to the South Downs comes up but Gina will have to solve a puzzle whilst she is there. They have a lovely time enjoying each other’s company and letting all their worries melt away. It was a nice easy read that is full of good friendships in a beautiful setting.
I received an ARC copy for this book for an honest review.
Jessie Else disappeared the summer the Lambs came to Magpie Beach. Not that the two events were connected at all, in reality; only in my own head, in my own world. They marked for me the end of a certain quiet time and the start of a more complicated living.
Magpie Beach is a quiet seaside town – full of small-town prejudices and small-town cliques. Meg, Rosemary and Lily are all outsiders. Meg and Lily because they came to Magpie Beach to escape their former lives, Rosemary because her upbringing was the subject of much local gossip and upturned noses. The three women come together as friends, partly because their homes are so close together on the outskirts of town – and partly because their neighbours treat them with such suspicion.
When Jessie Else, all of 9 years old, goes missing – it’s easy to see why this small band of outcasts are first on the list of suspects – but what they didn’t realise is that Jessie’s disappearance is only the beginning of their troubles. Soon all those secrets they’ve been trying to hide are going to be uncovered – and nothing will ever be the same again.
My Thoughts:
I loved the sound of this mystery, it was a slow burner to start with but I didn’t mind that as it meant I appreciated the story even more. I didn’t know what to expect at each chapter let alone each page, it also kept me guessing until the end. The story is set at Magpie Beach which is a quiet seaside town and Meg, Rosemary and Lily are all outsiders, the story follows on them to see if they are accepted into the community but when a child goes missing, all the secrets come tumbling out. I found it such a captivating and powerful read. It is a thought provoker too, what would you do in that situation? I wasn’t expecting the ending either so good. I was sad to finish but I look forward to reading more of Louise’s books.
I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.
Three generations of women, and the summer that saved them.
The holidays are here, and in Salcombe, Liz longs for the arrival of her god-daughters, Skye and Clare and Clare’s daughter baby Ivy. After years on her own, she needs help to save the catering business she built with Clare’s late mother, Jen.
However, half-sisters Skye and Clare couldn’t be more different, struggling with family secrets and hidden jealousies. As the women navigate this unexpected summer together, truths are revealed and their relationships are put to the test.
My Thoughts:
Cathy is one of my go to authors, as soon as I saw this one, I knew I was going to love it and I did. It is all about three women and what the summer did for them. They all are going through things in their lives that they need help with so spending the summer together means they can all help each other out. I felt as though I warmed to all three women and felt a connection. I loved the way the story flowed and how I just wanted to keep reading on. It is a heart warming story that is full to the brim of friendship, families and love. Perfect reading.
I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.
From the first time I saw them together I knew it felt wrong. I didn’t like the way he touched her or the self-conscious way he played with Molly and Luke. Joanne saw none of it of course. So I did it to prove to her that she was wrong. I did it for us.
Emily’s instincts tell her that best friend Joanne’s new boyfriend is bad news. Emily fears for Joanne. Fears for Joanne’s children. But Joanne won’t listen because she’s in love. So Emily watches, and waits . . . and then she makes a choice.
But Emily has a past, and secrets too. And is she really as good a friend to Joanne as she claims?
My Thoughts:
This was a bit of a wild card for me, I had never heard of the author but the plot sounded really intriguing. I loved it, this is an author I will be keeping my eyes out for. It is a story that will keep you guessing and was a really good psychological thriller that keeps you on your toes. It is a fairly short story but one that packs a punch. A gripping read that I really enjoyed.
Rachel has loved Alistair since she was seventeen.
Even though she hasn’t seen him for sixteen years and she’s now married to someone else.
Even though she was a teenager when they met.
Even though he is almost twenty years older than her.
Now in her thirties, Rachel has never been able to forget their golden summer together on a remote, sun-trapped Greek island. But as dark and deeply suppressed memories rise to the surface, Rachel begins to understand that Alistair – and the enigmatic, wealthy man he worked for – controlled much more than she ever realized.
Rachel has never once considered herself a victim – until now.
My Thoughts:
I found this debut novel such a mesmerising and thought provoking read that I will be recommending to people to read. It is a raw and engaging read that makes you think what you would do in that situation. It is a read that I am sure women will be able to relate to and is about coming to terms with a trauma which I hope people that read this and are in that situation realise they are not alone. Rachel is a married woman and when she sees her first true love again, it brings back memories of back then. But being older now she realises that life was not all it seemed back then. For a debut this was really good and I look forward to seeing what Katie will write about next.
I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.
After twenty years apart, Matthew and Helena have rekindled their college romance and are away in Iceland on their first holiday together. Swept up in the romance on a mountain hike, one moment they are taking the perfect photo, the next Helena is hanging from the cliff edge…
Terrified, Matthew almost misses Helena’s sudden and shocking confession—but what he hears chills him to the bone. And when Helena reveals the full truth Matthew is horrified, not only by what she’s done, but why she did it. Does he really know her at all?
His shock turns to horror when, back in England, they discover that someone not only overheard Helena’s confession but plans to blackmail her. Now Matthew must decide whether to go to the police or help Helena keep her secret—and as events spiral out of control, how far is Matthew willing to go to protect his ‘perfect’ girlfriend?
My Thoughts:
I have never read any of Mark’s books before and I really don’t know why as I really enjoyed it. I am now on the look out for more of his books as this one was just so good. It is all about Helena and Matthew and what happens when they go on their first holiday together. A shocking confession, lies, betrayals and a massive twist all makes this a captivating read. I didn’t know how the story was going to pan out and I love how there are many twists throughout. Each chapter for me ends with a suspense so made me want to read more. It was such an addictive thriller that I would highly recommend. A great new author to me.
I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.
Esther is out with her two friends, bemoaning her lack of relationship, when she finds a magazine from the noughties. Seeking comfort – and a laugh – she turns to the dating advice only to find an article that feels a little too close to home. According to the journalist, there are seven people a woman will date before finding the one:
The First Love, The Work Mistake, The Friend with Benefits, The Overlap, The Missed Chance, The Bastard and The Serious One.
Her friends laugh but Esther realises each of her exes fits these roles perfectly. Deciding that she’s mistaken her true love in the reject pile she decides to contact each of her exes to find out which is the one that got away…
My Thoughts:
Esther wants to be in a relationship, she sees other couples being all romantic and wants that for herself. So when she sees a magazine from the noughties that she use to love, she knows she has to read the article about dating advice. What is tells her to do is there are seven people a woman will date before finding the one. Esther with the help of her friends go on a journey into the past to try and find her one true love. All very different guys and very different endings on why they split up. It was a good story to read but I didn’t find it as funny as I was thought I would. I like how Lucy writes and I found the story fresh and it had a good pace to it. I enjoyed it.
I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.
At twenty-two years old, Sydney is enjoying a great life: She’s in college, working a steady job, in love with her wonderful boyfriend, Hunter, and rooming with her best friend, Tori. But everything changes when she discovers that Hunter is cheating on her—and she’s forced to decide what her next move should be.
Soon, Sydney finds herself captivated by her mysterious and attractive neighbour, Ridge. She can’t take her eyes off him or stop listening to the passionate way he plays his guitar every evening out on his balcony. And there’s something about Sydney that Ridge can’t ignore, either. They soon find themselves needing each other in more ways than one.
My Thoughts:
This is book one in the Maybe Series and I have to say my least favourite of Colleen’s. I just didn’t feel as though it had a good flow like the rest of her books. I enjoyed the first half but I found the second half slow and boring. When Sydney finds out her boyfriend is cheating on her with her best mate, she is heartbroken, with no where to go, her handsome neighbour invites her to stay with him. He has a secret that Sydney will soon discover and maybe they both can be happy together? it is a long drawn out story, I am intrigued to read the second book in the series to find out where the story is going to go.
Linzi arrived at Green Valley Vineyard nine years ago, in need of a fresh start. In the lush emerald countryside and ripening grapes, she finally has a place to call home.
But Linzi’s world is rocked when the owner announces he is retiring, and his grandson is taking over.
When Elliot Montgomery first sets foot at Green Valley, Linzi’s worst fears are realised. He’s stepped straight out of the boardroom in shiny shoes and a tailored suit. How will a numbers man like him ever understand the magic of what they do here?
Elliot has his own demons, carrying the grief of his father’s death. Despite their differences, he has come to the vineyard for a new beginning, much like Linzi once did.
As the summer unfolds, Elliot and Linzi find themselves in an uneasy alliance while old secrets threaten to be revealed.
Could more be about to bloom here among the twisting vines than they ever thought possible?
My Thoughts:
This is my first book by Lucy and I cannot wait to read more by her. You can tell so much research has gone into this book and I really enjoyed the fact the story is set in a Vineyard, it was a little different and quirky but I enjoyed it. Linzi works at the vineyard and has been working there for a number of years, but when she finds out the owner is retiring and that his grandson is taking over she is not happy about it. Elliot rocks up thinking he knows it all but he doesn’t have a clue. He is struggling with his own personal issues but can the two of them work together and help each other? I felt as though this could be made into a Sunday afternoon programme on the TV, I found it very relaxing and almost comforting. A great read.
I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.
Echoes In An Empty Room 